This Mom's Life: Jessica Capshaw

When she's not filming the hit series Grey's Anatomy, Jessica Capshaw, 35, likes to indulge her spontaneous side with kids Luke, 4, and Eve, 1: "I'll skip errand-running to play leopards and lions in the backyard." Here, how else she keeps working mom-dom fun

When my son gives me a hug out of nowhere and I ask why, he says, "Because you're my love nugget." I love the surprise element of being a mom.

What's a family ritual you can't live without?

Dinner. It's good for us all to sit together and for kids to wait to be excused.

What are three words that describe you as a mom?

"Consistent," "fun," and "patient."

Do you and your husband do date nights out?

We just spent four hours together during the day, and it was so exciting — outside, no children. We felt like we were having an affair. A lunch date is more fun than a dinner date; you're not tired. It's a secret that not a lot of other parents told me about.

What's the best thing about being a working mom?

I love what I do and I think it shows. As my kids get older, they can see me as a mom who loves working.

What's the toughest thing about being a working mom?

The time you spend away. Missing whatever is important at the time and not being able to control it.

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Any great cleaning tips?

We have a machine called Activeion that uses just water, but it cleans everything. It got squished raspberries off our new deck.

The one beauty product you can't live without?

Egyptian Magic skin cream. It works great on kids and adults. You can use it for chapped cheeks, diaper rash, and as a night moisturizer and lip balm.

Your favorite guilty pleasure?

Chocolate Häagen-Dazs. Or any sort of cheese and bread.

What are you reading to your kids right now?

Luke glommed on to Oliver Jeffers's books right away — Lost and Found, The Heart and the Bottle. We have every single one. I love them so much. The artwork is beautiful, and the storytelling is excellent.

How do you take a time-out for yourself?

A manicure with a book in tow; that's the only time I get to read. I try to get a pedicure, too. But sometimes I can only squeeze in a mani.

And what are you reading?

I just finished This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper. I laughed like crazy wherever I was reading it.